'Inspirational dad' raises £1,300 for Lancashire charity that helped his baby daughter before she died

Maternity and neonatal charity Baby Beat seek to save the lives of unborn babies to give them the best chance at life in Lancashire.

But when Ross Green and partner Faye Patricia lost their premature newborn baby daughter Ivy-Maè in April, just a month into the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, Ross and his family wanted to give back to those who helped her.

And himself and sister Lauren Jackson, presented the charity with a donation of £1,308 along with five memory boxes which will be given to recently bereaved parents struggling with their loss.

He hopes to jump from a plane in a sponsored skydive in the new year to further support the charity who looked after his daughter until she passed at 24 weeks and four days old.

Ross said: "The support provided by the staff on the neonatal intensive care unit was invaluable, and I wanted to raise money for Baby Beat to show my thanks to everyone who cared for Ivy-Maè.

"I hope that the memory boxes will give some comfort to parents who have experienced loss, as I have. Thank you again to all of the staff who cared for Ivy-Maè and our family.

"I hope the funds raised will help to support families who are going through such a heartbreakingly difficult time.”

And in further efforts to support the cause, Ross and his family are organising a walk to raise more funds, as a tribute to the 8 hours that Ivy-Maè spent on the neonatal intensive care unit at Royal Preston Hospital.

Cathy Skidmore, Baby Beat Manager, said he was an "inspirational dad".

She added: “We were so sorry to hear about Ross and his family’s loss, and our thoughts are with them all at what must be an incredibly difficult time.

"We are extremely grateful to them for thinking of us and raising such a wonderful amount of money, and these funds will go towards making improvements for mums, babies and their families on our maternity and neonatal units.

"He is a truly inspirational dad.”

Maternity services at Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley & South Ribble Hospital are now at the forefront of new technology, with the vital support of Baby Beat - supporting mothers, babies and their families.

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